Would you go to work?

[Quickstrawpollquestion]

I need a quick straw poll please: my work are a bit funny about sickness absence, and I've lost faith in my ability to judge and genuinely have no idea.

Last night, my back went really badly. I was unable to move at all - any attempt caused extreme pain. DH helped me to get down onto the floor where I was (In DD's room - scared her a bit ). After 10 mins or so lying down I was able to crawl to my bed (walking still not possible, but crawling ok) and DH helped me get into bed. DH also had to help me to the toilet later (was able to shuffle along slowly holding onto him for support, then held onto him to lower myself down and back up). Giving all this detail so you can see what I mean by my back going.

Had ibuprofen, a hot water bottle and a nights rest.

This morning I can walk, rather slowly and stiffly but OK. Can't twist at my waist obviously. Managed to get up and down from the floor to pick something up - a bit painful but OK.

I'm planning to go to work, but DH thinks I'might daft. So that's the AIBU - to go to work.

It's a desk job on a computer all day and I drive there (45 mins). I'll obviously have to go to the loo a couple of times but the rest of the time I can sit. Not sure whether sitting will be painful after a while. I think my main worry is seizing up again whilst there and not being able to drive home. I'd also like to get some physio, although I know the exercises since this happened to me before about 15 years ago. So it would be mainly for a bit of emergency massage to give a bit of relief. I work part time, so if I go to work I'll be able to go to the physio not Thursday.

WWYD?

[EveOnline2016]

Can you safely drive.

[GreatFuckability]

I wouldn't. A 45 min drive in that condition sounds hellish.

[Daisychain2017]

I'd work from home if that's an option

[StarlingMurderation]

Honestly, I'd go, but get up and walk around at least every hour. I have a recurring back problem, including an eight month stretch of agony when two discs slipped at once, but I haven't taken time off from my desk job because if I had, I'd have been off for weeks. You need to get a workplace desk assessment to make sure you're sitting correctly and just keep moving.

[StarlingMurderation]

Try co-codemol, btw. Sweet sweet opiates are more effective than ibuprofen alone. Don't take paracetamol at the same time.

Sometimes co-codemol was the only thing stopping me sitting or lying screaming from the pain when my discs went.

[Quickstrawpollquestion]

Unfortunately I can't work from home (not allowed to connect in from a non-work machine and don't have one with me).

I'm not sure whether I can drive. If it's proving too painful or I don't think I'm safe I can turn back.

Good point about an assessment and also about moving, starling. Slipped dusks sound awful

[AuntMabel]

If you work PT, instead of taking sick leave can you not offer to swap a day later in the week so you can get treatment today?

[Quickstrawpollquestion]

Ah thanks for the tip. We've got some cocodamol, will take that next time I can take meds.

[dudsville]

I'd go as it sounds like you're healing well and quickly. (I suffer from bad backs, slipped discs). HOWEVER, I don't drive and this would worry me. It's there any other way for you to get to work? At your desk make sure you get up and walk around lots and keep good posture. Being up and about ane moving helps a bad back. Whatever you decide you have my sympathies. I've had to be helped to the loo several times. It's not nice but so silly it usually leaves me giggling!

[pklme]

You need to be sure you can get out of car at other end. I think it may be a day to soon. If this has happened before then you likely have meds and know the pattern of it. If it's the first time, then you are better off seeing a doctor. I have relaxant meds in the cupboard for these times. If you can, take ibuprofen as it reduces inflammation.

[Quickstrawpollquestion]

That is actually a great idea to switch days. My childcare is for today, but a friend may be able to care for DD on Thursday.

I don't have meds. GP is a good idea.

I'll see how things are looking moving around the next hour then make a decision.

Thanks all for the advice!

[Enkopkaffetak]

No dont go in. 45 mins drive with a bad back sounds like a recipe for it to lock up again to me.

[ChishandFips33]

There's a lot of upper body twisting and turning when driving - checking junctions etc - are you sure you'll be able and safe to drive?

Can you swap a day later in the week and then the desk assessment can be put in place too - use today to visit the gp for media and 'evidence' if work are iffy about absence

[ChishandFips33]

Meds not media!

[ConvincingLiar]

Driving that far sounds risky. Swapping days sounds much safer.

[Miserylovescompany2]

Personally, I wouldn't risk a solo car journey today. Even getting into the car in the first instance requires a great deal of maneuverability. Then the actual drive and the getting out after you've been sat for however long?

Sitting at a desk all day isn't going to help. Then getting up and down from your desk however many times?

Then the car part repeated at the end...

Add into the mix stronger pain relief which could make you drowsy? Nope I wouldn't be risking it.

[Crumbs1]

I'd either swap my work day or go in. Best thing for mechanical back injury is to keep going.

[lovelearning]

Quickstrawpollquestion

Voltarol may provide relief

[Trifleorbust]

Of course you shouldn't go. You should stay at home and recover full movement. You are legally entitled to sick leave so just tell them you are sick.

[Hoppinggreen]

This happened to me but I was still on mat leave so not working
We were due to go away for the weekend and the physio advised against the car journey, even though DH was driving. As I was feeling better I though I would be ok.
We stopped for a break about 1 hour into the journey and I had completely seized up, I couldn't move at all. DH came to help me get out of the car but as he pulled me up I literally screamed with pain. I had to very very slowly ease myself out of the car and could hardly weight bear.
We managed to complete the journey but I had to lie across the back seat and couldn't sit upright for some time. The car journey definitely made it a lot worse

[Candlelight123]

No don't risk the drive or it going worse at work.
I've had a large slipped disc which was eventually operated on.
You need to see how your pain progresses, in my experience I was better either stood up or lying but was completely unable to sit.

[prettycunning]

Isn't there new rules that discourage driving on Co codamol not sure exactly what it is tho as I don't drive

[blueskyinmarch]

I wouldn’t take co-ocdamol and drive if you have never taken it before. It knocks me out and i can only take it at night before bed. If i was you i would have a second day at home and try and make a GP or a physio appointment. If you can afford to pay for a physio you can probably get an appointment pretty quickly.

[MillionToOneChances]

I had a bulging disc and being in the car as a passenger was pure, pure agony. There's not a chance I would have been safe to drive myself.